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Cruise News - June 29, 2009

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Odyssey is the first of three new vessels Seabourn is building, a 216% increase in capacity for the line, with Seabourn Sojourn launching in June 2010 and a third new-build in 2011.

"It is with great pleasure that I welcome Seabourn Odyssey to our distinguished fleet of yachts," said Pamela Conover, President and CEO of The Yachts of Seabourn. "The launch of Odyssey allows us to serve more travelers but still offer the intimate and exclusive experience which has made us a leader in the luxury cruising market."

Enticements are everywhere aboard Odyssey. The Spa at Seabourn is the largest spa on any luxury vessel at 11,400 square feet and is the only cruise vessel to offer SkinCeuticals, the award-winning skincare line, products and treatments at sea. Passengers can enjoy a hydropool, Kinesis wall, two herbal steam rooms as well as two Spa Villas complete with a whirlpool big enough for two, a private balcony for sunbathing, a double daybed and a full living room.

Passengers on Odyssey will savor five-star, all-inclusive dining in four restaurants from the fine-dining Restaurant with menus crafted by Charlie Palmer to the casual, open-air Patio Grill or choose course-by-course dining from the comfort of their suite.

With an intimate yacht-like atmosphere, passengers can choose from other highlights including 11 decks harboring two outdoor swimming pools, six outdoor whirlpools, water sports from the unique marina, and a private diamond showroom. The Retreat features a contoured nine-hole mini golf course, a giant chess board, shuffleboard and stargazing in the evening. Additional amenities include Seabourn-branded netbooks and iPods for loan as well as complimentary pool-side massages and signature 'Caviar in the Surf' service.

The Grand Wintergarden Suite, the largest of any Seabourn suite, offers 1,182 square feet of indoor space plus two verandas. The two bedroom, two bathroom suite features a glass-enclosed solarium with tub and daybed, as well as a whirlpool, dining for six, two bars and three flat-screen televisions.

All guests on Odyssey receive exceptional personalized service with nearly one staff member per guest and top-of-the-line amenities including the new Molton Brown Therapies skincare line, available for the first time at sea.

A new feature of Odyssey, Seabourn Square, is an innovative "concierge lounge" with a library, upscale shops, outdoor terrace and coffee bar, as well as concierges in a relaxed, club-like atmosphere.

Odyssey will spend her maiden year exploring the Mediterranean throughout the summer and early fall, then sailing the Caribbean before embarking on Seabourn's first world cruise, a 108-day voyage departing January 5, 2010, visiting 42 ports in 26 countries on six continents from Ft. Lauderdale to Athens.

Barough will officially name the ship in Southampton, England, during the formal naming ceremony July 29, culminating in a large bottle of champagne custom-made by The Corning Museum of Glass crashing against the hull of the 2,850-guest ship.

Celebrity selected Barough in recognition of her fervent devotion to raising awareness of breast cancer and her tremendous success in raising funds for the cause -- $85-million to-date -- through Walk the Walk's "SunWalks" and "MoonWalks." The four annual marathon walks in London, Edinburgh, Bristol and Newcastle attract thousands of women typically clad in decorated bras -- the signature apparel for most participants. A fair number of men also participate in the walks.

"Nina is an outstanding leader, business person, and fundraiser, but what is perhaps most impressive, and certainly most inspiring, is her tireless devotion to breast cancer causes," said Richard D. Fain, Chairman of Celebrity Cruises and Chairman and CEO of parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

"We are honored to have as Godmother of Celebrity Equinox someone whose work has benefited so many battling breast cancer, and whose personal triumph over the disease has inspired and encouraged thousands of women, men and families in the UK and beyond," said Celebrity Cruises President & CEO Dan Hanrahan.

A breast cancer survivor herself, Barough's numerous other life achievements include receiving a CBE for her contributions to health care through the British "New Year Honours" in December 2006. More recently, she was recognized at the "Pride of Britain Awards" (September 2008), where she was named "Fundraiser of the Year." And in October 2008, Barough was honored once again; this time, with the "Woman of the Year - Outstanding Achievement Award" in recognition of her willpower, spirit and courage.

"I am extremely excited to serve as this fantastic ship's Godmother, and look forward to presiding over such a meaningful and celebratory ceremony," said Barough. "I feel blessed to be given this opportunity to raise the profile of our charity through my association with Celebrity Cruises, and very honored to name a vessel as gorgeous as Celebrity Equinox."

Celebrity Equinox enters service July 31 from Southampton on an eight-night Norwegian Fjords cruise, then returns to Southampton to embark on the ship's official maiden voyage departing August 8 for the Mediterranean. The ship will present a series of Mediterranean sailings from Rome (Civitavecchia) through the fall and will offer Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., beginning this winter.

"Oasis of the Seas showcases the evolution of Royal Caribbean dining," said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. "Both the new concepts and the established Royal Caribbean offerings found throughout the neighborhoods are designed to meet contemporary dining standards, cater to individual preferences and schedules and foster epicurean curiosity. With so many options, guests could choose a new place to dine for every meal."

Fleetwide, Royal Caribbean strives to deliver the best dining experience possible by continuously developing innovative programs and upholding the highest culinary standards. As guests expectations continue to rise, the global cruise line introduces new elements of variety and flexibility, such as My Time Dining and My Family Time Dining. In addition, Royal Caribbean trains and certifies all culinary chefs through the American Culinary Federation's accredited education program and implements U.S. training standards of safe alcohol service.

From breakfast to late night snacks, guest's onboard Oasis of the Seas can find an extensive variety of food and beverage offerings, available at no extra charge, that will satisfy any craving, providing more options for breakfast, lunch and dinner than Royal Caribbean guests have ever had before. For additional convenience, dinner reservations can be made in advance through new features on www.royalcaribbean.com starting July 7, 2009. Let the culinary festival begin with the following highlights of the food and beverage offerings onboard Oasis of the Seas:

Central Park

• 150 Central Park - The most exclusive dining venue on Oasis of the Seas, 150 Central Park will provide an intimate dining experience that will combine leading-edge cuisine with modern design, creating a trendy upscale ambiance. Signature features will include a tasting menu with customized wine pairings. Open for dinner; $35 cover charge.

• Giovanni's Table - This Tuscan countryside influenced trattoria will be a more-accessible, casual Italian restaurant featuring both indoor and al fresco seating. Giovanni's Table will offer rustic dishes with a contemporary flair, including toasted herbal breads, pizzas, salads, pastas, Italian sandwiches, braised meat dishes and stews, all served family-style. Open for lunch and dinner; $10 lunch and $15 dinner cover charge.

• Park Cafe - A casual dining choice providing a high level of variety and flexibility, Park Cafe will be an indoor/outdoor gourmet market with walk-up counters. From freshly prepared salads and made-to-order sandwiches, to paninis, crepes and hearty soups, guests will order directly from the chefs behind food stations. European pastries, sublime chocolates and decadent fudge will round out the offerings. Open for breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner and late night treats.

• Vintages - Always a popular hot spot for Royal Caribbean guests on Voyager- and Freedom-class ships, the Vintages wine bar will evolve into a larger space on Oasis of the Seas. Great for a pre-dinner rendezvous, Vintages will provide a selection of cheeses and a broad tapas menu to accompany a robust selection of fine wines, from a tropical white Riesling to a mocha-inflected Merlot. Open for lunch and dinner; a la carte pricing.

• Chops Grille - Continuing the tradition, Royal Caribbean's popular signature steakhouse will offer premium cut, quality meats. Guests can choose to enjoy the upscale, contemporary setting indoors with views of Central Park or al fresco. Open for dinner; $25 cover charge.

Boardwalk

• Seafood Shack - The indoor/outdoor casual family restaurant will bring the surf style of beach side amusement parks to the Boardwalk, serving a variety of seafood, as well an extensive beverage menu of non-alcoholic cocktails and over-sized desserts. Open for lunch and dinner; $7.95 lunch and $9.95 dinner cover charge.

• Boardwalk Bar - The main bar in the Boardwalk will offer on-the-go snacks and a variety of pre-packaged sandwiches, fruit and salads. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

• Donut Shop - Guests can stop into the classically styled shop for a casual snack any time of day. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

• Ice Cream Parlor - The 1950's styled ice cream venue will display classic sundaes and a variety of ice cream flavors and toppings to choose from and then mixed-to-order on a frozen slab. Open throughout the day; a la carte pricing.

• Johnny Rockets - Extending the signature "eat-ertainment" hours, a diner breakfast menu will be introduced. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner; $3.95 breakfast and $4.95 lunch and dinner cover charge.

The Royal Promenade

• Mondo Cafe - This new addition to the Royal Promenade will feature coffee, sandwiches and pastries native to countries such as Italy, Spain and Cuba. Steps from Boleros and open around the clock, it is sure to be popular after an evening on the dance floor. Open for breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner and late night treats.

• Sorrento's Pizzeria - The New York style pizzeria will feature a more extensive menu with made-to-order pizza pies and slices, in addition to the ready-made selections introduced with the Freedom-class ships. Open for lunch, dinner and late night snacks.

• Cafe Promenade - Located on the opposite end of the Royal Promenade from the Mondo Cafe, the popular cafe will continue serving Seattle's Best Coffee, fruit shakes, pastries and sandwiches throughout the day and night. Open 24 hours; a la carte pricing.

The Pool and Sports Zone

• Solarium Bistro - Located in the Solarium the contemporary bistro will offer health-conscious dining for breakfast and lunch in a casual setting. In the evenings, Solarium Bistro will transform into a romantic and intimate dining setting for specialty healthy-fare dinner and dancing under the stars. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner; dinner has a $20 cover charge.

• The Wipe Out Cafe - The casual self-service buffet will offer a variety of options from pizza, hamburgers, sandwiches and fresh salads to quick snacks and desserts, for young cruisers on-the-go. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center

• The Vitality Cafe - Located at the entrance of the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, the Vitality Cafe will feature healthy snacks, sandwiches, wraps and fruit, in addition to refreshing juices and smoothies from the Vitality spa menu for the calorie conscious guest. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

New Twists on Fleet Fixtures

• Opus Dining Room - The three-level main dining room will revive the grandeur of the 1920s and feature French art deco design. Catering to guests' varying preferences, the newly introduced My Time Dining and My Family Time Dining, as well as the traditional main and late seating options will be offered. My Time Dining provides guests with the option to enjoy the dining room ambiance with Royal Caribbean's renowned Gold Anchor Service whenever they wish during dining hours. Guests choosing My Time Dining will not have a pre-assigned table, but will be seated in the ships main dining room and will order from the same traditional dinner menu. My Time Dining guests can make daily reservations for specific seating times or choose to walk in. My Family Time Dining accommodates parents and children by offering an expedited 40-minute dining service for young cruisers, ages 3-11. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

• Windjammer Marketplace - Offering the utmost flexibility for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this next generation of the brand staple will feature multiple islands, each serving a variety casual buffet fare.

• Izumi - The new Asian cuisine restaurant will feature a sushi bar and hot rock cooking, as well as other Asian fare in a more formal setting. Open for lunch and dinner; a la carte pricing.

• In-Stateroom Service - Guests wanting to enjoy a meal in the comfort of their staterooms will be able to choose from the complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, as well as the recently introduced Dine in Delights menu, which offers name-brand culinary options ranging from the Original Johnny Rockets hamburger to Ghirardelli Chocolate Cookies. Open 24 hours; a la carte pricing for Dine In Delights and $3.95 service charge for in-room deliveries between 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.

The many environmentally friendly features onboard include:

A five-stage Advanced Wastewater Treatment (AWT) plant that processes all wastewater produced onboard. Although the effluent produced by this system is so pure that it could be discharged into the ocean without harming the ecosystem, it is stored onboard for later transfer to land-based waste systems in port.

Innovative Stateroom Monitoring System technology in the staterooms and public areas provides nearly a 25 percent reduction in onboard energy use. For example, this system is able to detect an opened stateroom window or balcony doors, adjusting the room temperature setting in the climate control system accordingly.

Special high-efficiency incinerators handle disposal of paper and cardboard waste onboard, while compacting machines and grinders sort and prepare aluminium and glass which is later recycled in port.

These environmental safeguards of MSC Splendida match those used on her sister ship, MSC Fantasia, which earned the distinction of being the first passenger ship to receive the prestigious ‘6 Golden Pearls’ award from Bureau Veritas in recognition as one of the greenest ships in the world. MSC Splendida is currently awaiting certification for this classification, which also includes meeting the highest standards for food quality and safety.

MSC Cruises cares about the environment and continues to take steps towards its improvement. The company was one of the first to sign the Venice Blue Flag agreement to reduce emissions in the Venice Lagoon through the use of ultra-low sulphur diesel fuel in its engines. For this year's World Environment Day, on June 5, , on June 5, MSC Cruises offered free onboard screenings of the Home by photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand, produced by Denis Carot, Luc Besson and François-Henri Pinault.

"People retire to Florida for three things mainly ... warm sunshine, golf, and the water," states Mel Medina, President of ORCA. "This is a unique package that provides for all that plus a wellness capability."

The ORCA Lifestyle Cruising Program will provide the healthcare aspects of traditional retirement facilities on private resident-owned cruise ships to be home ported in various coastal Florida cities. Seniors would enter the program just as they would a typical Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) with a nominal entrance fee and subsequent monthly Residents' Care fees, but would live aboard the cruise ship until eventually health issues would necessitate their moving into a skilled nursing facility ashore. The big difference is this. Unlike a CCRC, on an ORCA ship, you actually OWN your residence like a condo. Upon passing, it actually reverts to your estate. The heirs can sell the stateroom or keep it for their own use by renting it out until they are 55 and ready to retire and move aboard themselves.

The first ship, Alegria, will enter service sometime late Summer or early Fall and will take frequent cruises to the Bahamas and Central America.

The vessel and her sister were originally built for Delta Queen Coastal Voyages back in 2001 but never entered service as the cruise line ceased operations following the terrorist attacks of September 11th. The ships were laid up for several years before being purchased by Hornblower Marine Services in August of 2007.

"This is an ingenious concept that fosters the active and adventurous senior lifestyle so demanded among the retiring baby boomers," says Medina, who also owns a major Central Florida home healthcare company.

Enrollment pricing in the ORCA Lifestyle Cruising Program varies from $259-499,000 for 2 people. Monthly Residents' Care Fees are about the same or a little less than conventional retirement facilities. The fee covers all expenses of operating the ship including fuel, crew, housekeeping, medical center, insurance, cruises, port fees, maintenance, and all residents' meals. The owners will live aboard the ship in typical cruise ship size staterooms which are about the same size as conventional land-based facilities but with a twist ... This retirement community has a night club, martini bar, library, elegant dining room, spa, workout room, putting green, shuffleboard, 12 guest cabins, and 6,000 sq' of sun deck. The staterooms have large flat-screen TVs, WiFi, room phones, and are fully furnished.

"All things considered we think most retiring baby boomers and seniors will rather move onto a beautiful ship whose view changes frequently rather than sit in a typical shore-bound facility that lacks the ambience of moonlight on the open sea," concluded Medina.

Beginning April 3, the ships will sail to some of Europe's most treasured sights as well as some lesser-known ports, including 11 maiden calls. With the addition of new itineraries, more roundtrip departures and more overnight stays on both long and short sailings, guests will be better able to capture the spirit of Europe and its multi-faceted cities.

"2010 is an exciting year for us with Nieuw Amsterdam joining our fleet and adding to our breadth of European offerings," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line. "With six premium ships sailing throughout Europe and an extensive selection of itineraries, guests can select their dream cruise, whether it's seven or 35 days."

Midway through the 2010 season Holland America Line's newest ship, Nieuw Amsterdam, will make its debut, departing July 4 on a 10-day inaugural Collectors' Voyage. Nieuw Amsterdam will then sail the popular 12-day Mediterranean Romance, Mediterranean Tapestry and Mediterranean Empires itineraries round-trip Venice, Italy, or between Barcelona, Spain, and Venice, that visit ports throughout Greece, Croatia, Turkey and Italy.

Guests seeking the convenience of a roundtrip itinerary can take advantage of new departures from Rotterdam, the Netherlands and Dover (London), featuring the Baltic, Norwegian Fjords and Northern Europe. Other roundtrip European homeports include: Civitavecchia, (Rome) and Venice, Italy; Barcelona, Spain; Piraeus (Athens), Greece; Copenhagen, Denmark; Greenwich (London), England; and Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Eurodam will begin her Europe season with four 10-day Mediterranean itineraries beginning April 19 followed by seven eight- to 12-day Baltic cruises -- including a Scottish Highlands cruise roundtrip from Dover departing June 21. Also sailing Northern Europe is Westerdam with a roundtrip Rotterdam seven-day Fjord Explorer cruise followed by three 12-day Baltic cruises, also roundtrip Rotterdam.

Guests who have less time to travel but are still eager to experience Europe can now enjoy seven- and eight-day cruises. In addition to Nieuw Amsterdam's inaugural Mediterranean cruise and Westerdam's Fjord Explorer sailing, guests can take Noordam's 7-day Mediterranean Glamour voyage roundtrip from Barcelona July 26, followed by a 7-day Riviera Romance cruise roundtrip from Rome August 12.

Guests who are looking for a more regionalized itinerary will be pleased with the new additions to Holland America Line's repertoire. Departing August 2, Westerdam sails a 12-day Celtic Legends cruise that features an overnight in South Queensferry (Edinburgh), Scotland. On August 14, Westerdam takes guests on a 12-day Scottish Serenade and spends three days in South Queensferry (Edinburgh). Both cruises offer guests the opportunity to attend the famous Military Tattoo. Noordam's 10-day Mediterranean Allure cruise departing August 2 features an overnight in Valetta, Malta. And the 12-day Norwegian Fjords & North Cape itinerary on Westerdam showcases spectacular scenic cruising of Geirangerfjord, a crossing of the Arctic Circle and cruising by the North Cape. The Norwegian Fjords & North Cape roundtrip Rotterdam itinerary departs July 26.

Prinsendam returns to Europe with itineraries ranging from 14 to 22 days. Known as the Elegant Explorer, the 793-guest vessel will visit some of the world's most intriguing sights including a daylight transit through the Kiel Canal. Prinsendam's visits include overnights in Copenhagen, Denmark; Greenwich (London), England; St. Petersburg, Russia; Bordeaux and Le Havre (Paris), France; Lisbon, Portugal; Barcelona, Spain; and Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey.

For those who wish a blend of North American and European ports without a single international flight, the Maasdam will take guests on a 35-day Voyage of the Vikings sea odyssey departing July 17, roundtrip Boston. The 1,258-guest ship will visit a variety of captivating ports from the north eastern provinces in Canada to Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Denmark, England and the Netherlands, with overnight stays in Amsterdam and Reykjavik.

Throughout the season the six Holland America Line ships will call at 11 maiden ports in Europe, including Bodrum, Turkey; Calvi, Corsica, France; Famagusta, Cyprus; Fort William, Scotland; Heimaey, Iceland; Kotor, Montenegro; Molde, Norway; Monemvassia, Greece; Peel, Isle of Man, United Kingdom; San Antonio and Ibiza, Spain, and Vlissingen (Flushing), the Netherlands.

Guests on board Holland America Line ships are in for a delight in 2010 with overnight stays in 14 most popular European ports: Barcelona, Spain; Bergen, Norway; Bordeaux, France; Copenhagen, Denmark; Greenwich (London), England; Istanbul, Turkey; Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey; Le Havre (Paris), France; Lisbon, Portugal; Reykjavik, Iceland; St. Petersburg, Russia; South Queensferry (Edinburgh), Scotland; Valletta, Malta, and Venice, Italy.

Guests wishing to capitalize on their time abroad may opt to expand their vacation by booking a Collectors' Voyage. These back-to-back sailings offer two distinct itineraries in which guests can visit up to 17 countries on a 20-day journey. Pre- and post-cruise packages are also available for guests who desire to extend their stays of one, two or three nights on any Europe sailing.

The 90-year-old resident of Redondo Beach, Calif., has been sailing on Carnival Cruise Lines’ four-day Baja Mexico itinerary once a month for the past 14 years, dating back to when the cruise ship Holiday first began the program from Southern California in 1995.

Aside from taking an annual break from Carnival cruising during the summer, Levy has sailed on nearly 100 four-day "Fun Ship" Baja cruises over the past 14 years, most recently on the 2,052-passenger Carnival Paradise which currently operates the program.

Levy (third from left) is pictured here with several members of the Carnival Paradise’s management team, including F&B Manager Ganesh Khalipe (far left); Guest Services Manager Kua Ngamkamolrat (second from left); Captain Vito Garuccio (third from right); Cruise Director Felipe Couto (second from right); and Housekeeping Manager Malgorzata Palucka.

Carnival Paradise sails year-round from Long Beach, Calif., offering four-day cruises departing Mondays to Ensenada and Catalina Island and three-day cruises departing Fridays to Ensenada.

As part of its prospectus supplement for the offering, the company provided a business update and details of the effects of the H1N1 virus outbreak and rising fuel prices.

Overall, the company reported booking volumes and pricing levels have remained stable and consistent with prior guidance. With the exception of the Spanish market, the peak summer products are performing consistent with prior guidance. While it is still early, the trajectory of both rate and volume - especially as it relates to its newer ships - points to improving yields in 2010.

Since the company last provided guidance on April 23, 2009, the H1N1 virus outbreak and rising fuel prices have negatively impacted what otherwise would be considered a stabilizing operating environment. On April 23, the company provided guidance of 2009 earnings per share of approximately $1.35 plus or minus $0.10 per share for every 10% change in fuel prices. Since then, the price of oil has risen approximately 45%. On June 9, the company estimated the effects of the H1N1 virus on 2009 earnings per share to be approximately ($0.22) per share.

In the prospectus supplement, the company provided further guidance that:

1. Hedging and fuel cost management have mitigated the impact of increasing oil prices and that full year fuel expense would now be up only $0.12 per share at today's prices;

2. Other Income and Expense for the second quarter is expected to be worse than prior guidance due mainly to foreign currency adjustments to the balance sheet and for ineffectiveness related to hedging amounting to about $0.10 per share; and

3. Interest on the senior notes is expected to increase interest expense for the year by approximately $0.05 per share.

4. Fuel consumption is currently hedged at 48%, 50% and 45% for 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

Company	Today's Closing Price	Change (since last week)
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL)	26.09	+ 6.23%
Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL)	13.25	+ 1.92%
Star Cruises (HKSE:0678.HK)	1.05	- 2.78%

Cruise News Trivia Question:
Today's P&O fleet includes a ship named Oriana, but she is not the first ship to have that name. The previous Oriana was was built in 1960 for P&O-Orient Lines. Whatever became of that ship?

Answer - Will be published in next week's column along with the name of the first person to submit the correct answer. Send your answer to cruise2008@travelpage.com

Last Week's Question
What was the name of the first passenger ship to resume commercial sailings on the North Atlantic after World War II? Hint: she returned to service in August of 1945.

Answer - Norwegian America Line's Stavangerfjord, 13,156 tons 679 passengers.
courtesy of Doug Windsor

Cruise News - June 22, 2009

Following the fire, the ship was moved to the inner harbor of Port Said where Princess has been conducting damage assessments. Based on a preliminary assessment of the damage, Princess has cancelled the remainder of the current cruise and the following cruise scheduled for departure June 25th.

The fire was reportedly caused by a ruptured fuel pump in the engine room. In addition to replacing the pump, a large amount wiring and piping was damaged by the fire and must also be replaced. Princess is hopeful that this work can be done at dock side but there is a chance that Royal Princess may need to move to dry dock if the damage turns out to be more severe than originally thought.

Princess announced that it will be providing the affected passengers on both voyages a full refund of their fare, plus a future cruise credit equal to 25% of the cruise fare paid for these sailings. Passenger were flown home over the weekend.

At its tightest point along the course, there are as few as 13 feet between each side of the 1,040-ft-long, 121-ft-wide ship and the riverbank.

During Celebrity Equinox's transit from Papenburg to Eemshaven, Netherlands, the ship navigated the passing of a railway bridge in Weener, a highway bridge in Leer, and a narrow passage in Gandersum. The journey takes between 12 and 15 hours to complete, and is likely the most complicated ride the ship will encounter in its life.

Due to the size and scale of the ship, the transit can take place only during absolutely ideal weather conditions: when the river is at high tide, when winds are extremely calm, and when tidal barriers are closed, in order to ensure there is enough water to accommodate the draft of the ship.

"The conveyance is an interesting challenge for any Captain," said Celebrity Equinox's Captain Apostolos Bouzakis. "The limited space available for navigation, the nature of sailing in reverse, and the number of narrow passages and bridges to traverse are all factors that cruise ship captains normally do not have to contend with. But, a real benefit of this event is the opportunity to test the maneuverability of the ship at reduced speeds. With an average channel breadth of 364 feet, it is a bit like taking a brand-new sportscar down winding country lanes: It's exhilarating, but not without its share of trepidation."

Tens of thousands of spectators are estimated to have lined the banks of the River Ems to watch Celebrity Equinox make its challenging and historic transit. Together with sister ship Celebrity Solstice, the two are the largest ships ever to have sailed on the River Ems.

After provisioning and loading activities in Eemshaven, followed by sea trials, Celebrity Equinox will be officially delivered from Meyer Werft to Celebrity Cruises July 16. The ship then will sail to Southampton, England and complete a series of inspections, followed by eight days of launch celebrations, including the maritime tradition of a naming ceremony over which the ship's Godmother will preside.

The 122,000-gross-registered-tons Celebrity Equinox is scheduled to enter service July 31 from Southampton, England, on an eight-night cruise through the majestic Norwegian Fjords, followed by a series of romantic Mediterranean sailings from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, beginning August 8.

Like Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Equinox will present guests with industry-first features, including a half-acre Lawn Club with real, growing grass; a glassblowing show and studio developed with The Corning Museum of Glass; 10 unrivalled dining venues, and widely varied entertainment, including shows with breathtaking aerial acts.

"Norwegian Sky has been in high demand since we brought her to Miami to sail three and four-day Bahamas cruises last year; and therefore we wanted to give her a beautiful new look for the summer season and beyond," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's chief executive officer. "The ship is the perfect getaway as it offers great value for money for families, friends and couples alike looking to relax and escape the everyday."

Norwegian Sky's total refurbishment includes:

• reupholstering all 1,000 seats in the Stardust Theater;

• major updates to 14 suites which received new wallpaper; new marble tiles in the showers and tubs; and refinishing all wood work including the teak around the whirlpools on the suite balconies;

• improvements to Dazzles Bar and Nightclub, including refinishing of the dance floor; reupholstering of the club's chairs and bar stools and removal of banquette seating creating additional room on the dance floor;

• new upholstery to all of the seating in the Atrium;

• installation of new food stations in the Garden Café, Norwegian's signature action station restaurant, along with refurbishment of Il Adagio, the ship's Italian restaurant;

• the addition of three new staterooms; and

• repainting of the colorful murals surrounding the pool area.

Norwegian Sky's three and four-day Bahamas sailings departing from Miami are from $199 per person. Norwegian Sky departs Miami on Mondays sailing four-day Bahamas cruises with full-day stops in Grand Bahama Island, Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian's private island in the Bahamas. On Fridays, the ship sails a weekend getaway three-day Bahamas itinerary, departing Miami at 5 p.m. with all-day stops in Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, returning to Miami at 7 a.m. on Monday mornings.

Norwegian Sky has more than 240 balcony staterooms, a choice of six different restaurants, 10 bars and lounges, multiple entertainment venues, a luxurious spa, two pools, extensive children's facilities, a sports deck and a variety of spacious public rooms.

Carnival Corporation & plc Chairman and CEO Micky Arison indicated that operating results in the second quarter were better than Carnival's March guidance due primarily to lower than expected net cruise costs and better than expected pricing on close-in bookings. This was partially offset by higher fuel prices and the impact from disruptions of its Mexican cruises in response to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations against non-essential travel to Mexico which reduced second quarter earnings by approximately $0.03 per share.

Commenting on second quarter results, Arison said, "We were pleased with the quarterly operating results in light of the current economic environment. During the quarter, our operating companies remained focused on reducing costs which is expected to continue through the remainder of the year." A variety of energy conservation programs resulted in a six percent reduction in fuel consumption during the quarter which helped to mitigate some of the recent fuel price increases.

Key metrics for the second quarter of 2009 compared to the prior year were as follows:

• On a constant dollar basis net revenue yields (revenue per available lower berth day) decreased 9.8 percent for Q2 2009. Net revenue yields in current dollars decreased 16.8 percent due to unfavorable currency exchange rates. Gross revenue yields in current dollars decreased 17.3 percent.

• Excluding fuel, net cruise costs per available lower berth day ("ALBD") for Q2 2009 was 1.0 percent higher on a constant dollar basis due to more vessels in dry-dock this quarter.

• Including fuel, net cruise costs per ALBD decreased 9.6 percent on a constant dollar basis (decreased 15.6 percent in current dollars). Gross cruise costs per ALBD decreased 16.5 percent in current dollars.

• Fuel price decreased 43 percent to $304 per metric ton for Q2 2009 from $530 per metric ton in Q2 2008 and was above the March guidance of $285 per metric ton.

"During the quarter, we also made great strides on our strategic initiatives to better position Carnival for the future," Arison said. Carnival continued to expand its global presence in the second quarter through the deployment of a second vessel to its emerging brand in China, and the successful delivery of three new vessels for its European brands - AIDA Cruises' 2,050-passenger AIDAluna and Costa Cruises' 2,260-passenger Costa Luminosa and 2,990-passenger Costa Pacifica.

Carnival said that it also entered into $1.7 billion of financing since the first quarter, including a euro 550m loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB), to help finance Costa's newbuilding program. This is the first time the EIB has provided capital to the cruise sector.

"Since the start of the year we have completed more than $2.8 billion in financing at very favorable rates, which clearly demonstrates our ability to access capital in very difficult credit markets," Arison said.

Since March, booking volumes for the second half of 2009 are running 26 percent ahead of the prior year. Although booking levels for the remainder of the year are still behind, the higher booking volumes have enabled Carnival to close the gap to approximately three percentage points from last year's levels. However, ticket prices for these bookings are at substantially lower levels.

Arison noted, "As we have progressed throughout the year, booking volumes have continued to accelerate with less discounting, as consumers have come to recognize the extraordinary value proposition our cruise vacations represent."

Carnival said that it continues to expect full year net revenue yields, on a constant dollar basis, to decrease 10 to 12 percent. Carnival said that it now forecasts a 14 to 16 percent decline in net revenue yields on a current dollar basis for the full year 2009 compared to 2008 caused by unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates. Although Carnival has experienced pricing pressure on net revenue yields for its Mexican deployments in the wake of the CDC's travel advisory, it has been more than offset by improved expectations for its broader deployments worldwide.

Carnival said that it continues to expect net cruise costs excluding fuel for the full year 2009 to be in line with the prior year on a constant dollar basis. However, based on current spot prices for fuel, forecasted fuel costs for the full year have increased $233 million, or $0.29 per share, since the previous guidance. This has been partially offset by favorable changes in currency exchange rates of $0.06 per share. Carnival's revised 2009 guidance is based on current spot prices for fuel of $416 per metric ton and currency exchange rates of $1.39 to the euro and $1.61 to sterling.

Taking all the above factors into consideration, Carnival said that it now forecasts full year 2009 earnings per share to be in the range of $2.00 to $2.10, compared to its previous guidance range of $2.10 to $2.30.

"Higher forecasted fuel prices and the impact of the CDC travel advisory have reduced 2009 earnings by approximately $0.40 per share, but the midpoint of our guidance was reduced by only $0.15 per share as a result of strengthening yields in other deployments, favorable currency movements and lower costs," Arison said.

Third quarter constant dollar net revenue yields are expected to decline in the 14 to 16 percent range (down 19 to 21 percent on a current dollar basis). Net cruise costs excluding fuel for the third quarter are expected to be approximately 1 percent higher on a constant dollar basis. Excluding the impact of the $26 million insurance settlement received in the 2008 third quarter, net cruise costs excluding fuel are expected to be down 1 percent on a constant dollar basis.

Based on current fuel prices and currency exchange rates, Carnival said that it expects earnings for the third quarter of 2009 to be in the range of $1.15 to $1.19 per share, down from $1.65 per share in 2008.

Each itinerary will offer a unique adventure – featuring overnights in Sydney, Hong Kong and Dubai on Queen Elizabeth, and Cape Town, Sydney and Hong Kong on Queen Mary 2 - combined with the line's hallmarks of gourmet fine dining, impeccable White Star Service™ and a wide variety of elegant stateroom accommodation including the renowned and award-winning Queens Grill and Princess Grill suites.

Queen Elizabeth Maiden World Voyage - For her maiden World Voyage, Queen Elizabeth will offer a complete circumnavigation of the globe from her home port of Southampton, crossing the Atlantic en route to New York. Especially compelling for US and Canadian guests is the option of embarking on their World Voyage experience from New York, Fort Lauderdale or – after the ship transits the Panama Canal - Los Angeles.

From the west coast, Queen Elizabeth will continue her westward journey to the ever-popular city of Sydney (where she will stay overnight) via the South Pacific and New Zealand before heading to the exotic ports of Asia including Singapore, Bali, Vietnam and Thailand as well as another overnight stay in Hong Kong. Then the ship sails on to Malaysia and India before calling on Dubai (also an overnight stay), followed by a visit to Oman before transiting the Suez Canal and taking in some of the sites of Egypt, Greece, Italy and Portugal en-route back to Southampton. Here North American guests can rendezvous with the Queen Mary 2 and take in a legendary Transatlantic crossing to complete their 103-day circumnavigation of the globe. Full World Voyage fares start from $19,995 per person.

Segment voyages capture the essence of the World Voyage and aboard Queen Elizabeth range from 12 to 25-days, including New York to Los Angeles (16 days), Los Angeles to Sydney (23 days), Sydney to Singapore (25 days), Singapore to Dubai (12 days) and Dubai to Southampton (19 days). Guests can enjoy great value by combining two or more consecutive segments to create adventurous Liner Voyages. Segment fares start from $2,545 per person.

Queen Mary 2 World Voyage - Queen Mary 2 will begin her fourth World Voyage in New York and her second passage sailing on an east-west route around the globe. After a call in Fort Lauderdale, the ship will head to the Caribbean and South America, calling on Barbados, Brazil and Uruguay before arriving for an overnight stay in the magnificent city of Cape Town in South Africa, the ship's second visit to this exceptionally beautiful metropolis. From there she will sail to the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean before an exploration of Australia that culminates with an overnight stay in Sydney. The ship continues on to New Zealand and Guam before sampling some highlights of China and Japan en-route to an overnight stay in Hong Kong, followed by visits to Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand and India en-route to Dubai. From here, Queen Mary 2 will call in Egypt before making a transit of the Suez Canal that will take her to European calls in Italy, Monaco, Spain and the United Kingdom, her last call before ending her 103-day odyssey in New York. Full World Voyage fares start from $19,995 per person.

Segment voyages aboard Queen Mary 2 range from 15 to 25-days and include New York to Cape Town (23 days), Cape Town to Sydney (17 days), Sydney to Hong Kong (25 days), Hong Kong to Dubai (15 days) and Dubai to New York (23 days). Consecutive segments can be combined to experience adventurous Liner Voyages. Segment fares start from $3,245 per person.

Cunard is also pleased to offer guests the chance to enjoy the World Voyage experience using a combination of Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2. Embarking in New York, guests will be able to complete the first half of their World Voyage on Queen Elizabeth before transferring ships in Sydney and sailing back to New York on Queen Mary 2.

"Cunard's World Voyages have been a highlight of our programmes since we introduced this travel adventure in 1922 and our two global journeys offer surprising value that is truly beyond expectation," said Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard Line.

Cunard Royal Rendenzvous - Exactly three years to the day after Cunard welcomed its trio of Queens in New York, this rare event is poised to take place again on January 13, 2011 when Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth call on New York for another spectacular Cunard Royal Rendezvous. Be among the few to experience this history-making day as you depart New York Harbour on one of the most famous ocean liners in the world.

The 114-day cruise departs Jan. 6, 2010, taking an eastward route sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Los Angeles, Calif., while exploring South America, Africa and Asia.

"Being a premium cruise line means offering our guests premium enrichment experiences, and the line-up for the Grand World Voyage is top-notch," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "To have a journalist as respected as Sam Donaldson and entertainers as talented as Doc Severinsen puts our enrichment program at the top of the cruise industry."

Sam Donaldson is scheduled to sail March 28 through April 1 from Hong Kong to Shanghai. While on board he will present lectures to guests on a wide range of current events.

Donaldson joined ABC News in 1967, yet the turning point in his career came 10 years later when he was assigned to cover the incoming Carter Administration as ABC's chief white house correspondent. By 1981, he was anchor of "World News Sunday." Donaldson also has hosted "Prime Time Live" and "The Sam Donaldson Show -- Live in America" on ABC radio. He is the recipient of three George Foster Peabody and four Emmy awards. Today, he hosts his own half-hour program, "Politics Live," on the high-definition digital network "ABC News Now."

Kitty Kelley is scheduled to sail Jan. 28 through Feb. 7 from Punta Arenas to Buenos Aires, Argentina. While on board, she will discuss her popular biographies and participate in question and answer sessions.

Kelley is an acclaimed writer and biographer whose last four books have each ranked first on the New York Times best-seller list. Kelley's book, "Nancy Reagan: The Unauthorized Biography" sold one million copies in hardback and became the fastest selling biography in U.S. publishing history. Her other biographies, "Elizabeth Taylor: The Last Star," "His Way" about Frank Sinatra and "Jackie Oh!" also were New York Times best sellers. After four years as a press assistant to U.S. Sen. Eugene McCarthy, Kelley worked for two years as the editorial page researcher for The Washington Post. Since then, she has had a full-time career as a freelance writer.

Doc Severinsen and El Ritmo de la Vida scheduled for January Grand World Voyage segment. Musicians Doc Severinsen and El Ritmo de la Vida are scheduled to sail Jan. 6 through 11 from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Fuerte Amador, Panama, next year.

Severinsen, a long-time former music director of the Johnny Carson-hosted show, became a staff musician for the NBC television network in 1949. After years of playing with television studio bands, he was invited to play with the "Tonight Show" band. The conductor asked him to join that band in 1962, and five years later, Severinsen took over Carson's show, where he stayed until 1992. A Grammy award winner, Severinsen has more than 30 albums. After moving to Mexico in 2006, Severinsen created El Ritmo de la Vida with Mexican musicians Gil Gutierrez and Pedro Cartas.

The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (CMS) is scheduled to sail April 1 through 5 from Shanghai to Xingang (Beijing), China.

CMS is one of 12 resident organizations of Lincoln Center, the world's leading performing arts complex. Through its performances, education, and recording and broadcast activities, it draws more people to chamber music than any other organization of its kind. Its annual activities include concerts, national and international tours, nationally televised broadcasts on "Live From Lincoln Center," and a nationwide radio show, and National Public Radio's "Performance Today" appearances.

Hosted in partnership with Declare Yourself, a non-profit organization founded by legendary television producer Norman Lear, this unique opportunity marks the first time a copy of the Declaration has visited Alaska, and the first time a cruise line has shown the famous document.

The Declaration will be on display aboard the vessels for about two hours while each ship is docked in Juneau. The document will be shown aboard Diamond Princess and Star Princess on July 1; Coral Princess on July 2; Island Princess on July 3; Pacific Princess and Golden Princess on July 6, and Sapphire Princess and Sea Princess on July 8.

"This is an amazing opportunity for our passengers to get a first-hand look at history, which is especially poignant at a time of year when our country celebrates its independence," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "It's a rare occasion when we can bring such a unique attraction right on board - this document has never been shown on a cruise ship before. It will be a memorable way to mark the week of Independence Day as well as Alaska's 50th anniversary of statehood."

MSC Magnifica, currently under construction and scheduled to debut in March 2010, will be sailing a series of Fall Foliage cruises from both New York and Quebec in 2010 before joining MSC Lirica for the 2010-11 Caribbean season in Fort Lauderdale.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for residents of the Northeastern United States and Canada to experience MSC Cruises on one of the line's newest and most elegant ships while saving them both time and money as they won't incur additional costs for airfare," says Richard E. Sasso, president and CEO of MSC Cruises (USA), Inc.

He adds, "MSC Magnifica is ideal for Fall Foliage cruises. With nearly 80 percent outside staterooms and a magrodome or retractable roof over the swimming pool, guests can appreciate the splendor and majesty of the outdoors throughout the cruise."

MSC Magnifica is scheduled to debut in March 2010 and departs Venice on Sept. 4, 2010 on an 18-night transatlantic journey to New York City. It will call at Bari, Valetta, Malaga, Cadiz, Lisbon, Ponta Delgada and King's Wharf (Bermuda), arriving in New York City on Sept. 22.

The ship will then sail the following itineraries:

• 10-night roundtrip, departing from New York City on Sept. 22 and calling in Sydney, Charlottetown, Quebec, Halifax and Newport

• 7-night New York City to Quebec, departing Oct. 2 and calling in Halifax, Charlottetown and Corner Brook

• 7-night Quebec to New York City, departing Oct. 9 and calling in Sydney, Bar Harbor, Boston and Newport

• 7-night New York City to Quebec, departing Oct. 16 and calling in Halifax, Sydney and Charlottetown

These itineraries can be combined, making them ideal for those interested in a 14- or 17-day roundtrip experience.

Washington state residents have accounted for 50 percent of Vancouver 2010 Olympic Game ticket sales, according to CoSport.com, the exclusive U.S. ticket seller. Newwest Special Projects LP, an entrepreneurial travel company, previewed the onboard accommodations available to Vancouver 2010 Games visitors during a stop in Seattle on Saturday.

Newwest has chartered Norwegian Cruise Line's Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Star, for the duration of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games. Norwegian Star will be docked in North Vancouver from Feb. 10 through March 2, adding 10 percent capacity to the city's downtown hotel inventory of 12,000 rooms.

"Having Norwegian Star in Vancouver will offer much needed accommodations for corporations, sponsors, sporting clubs and individual fans wanting to make the 2010 Olympic Games an experience of a lifetime," said Dennis Laliberte, President of Newwest Special Projects LP. "This is a rare opportunity and our team is thrilled to help bring the world to Canada."

Norwegian Star will arrive in Vancouver on Feb. 10, after a four-day sailing from Los Angeles, where the ship will reside in North Vancouver for the duration of the 2010 Winter Games. On March 2, the ship will head south, arriving back in Los Angeles on March 6. The pre and post cruise options give clients a great way to extend their Olympic experience, but also offer an additional means of transportation for visitors to arrive or depart Vancouver during this busy time.

"Through Newwest's charter, Norwegian Star will offer unique accommodations for thousands of guests attending the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver," said Andy Stuart, Norwegian Cruise Line's Executive Vice President of Global Sales and Passenger Services. "We are pleased to be working with Newwest on this exciting project."

Norwegian Star was purpose-built for Freestyle Cruising in 2001 and fully refurbished in 2006. In Vancouver, the ship will feature all the amenities, activities and entertainment programs as if at sea, with a crew of approximately 1,000 looking after a maximum of 2,240 guests. A variety of packages are available in either three or four night durations. Prices start at $350 U.S. per person, per night based on double occupancy. All packages include meals, airport transfers, daily transfers from/to the ship to North Vancouver's Sea Bus Terminal, city tour of Vancouver and much more. A wide variety of rooms and suites are available aboard the ship from Inside and Outside Staterooms to Mini Suites with balconies and luxurious Penthouse Suites. Since the ship is a private charter, custom tailored packages can be arranged that could include private coach transfers, multilingual guides, private meals and functions for up to 1,000 guests aboard Norwegian Star.

"The ship has 1,119 staterooms allowing for 8,960 guests to be accommodated throughout the duration of the Games," Laliberte said. "This will generate substantial revenues not only for all levels of government, but for the businesses of North Vancouver, Whistler and Vancouver."

Company	Today's Closing Price	Change (since last week)
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL)	24.56	+ 6.04%
Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL)	13.00	+ 2.85%
Star Cruises (HKSE:0678.HK)	1.08	- 4.42%

Cruise News Trivia Question:
What was the name of the first passenger ship to resume commercial sailings on the North Atlantic after World War II? Hint: she returned to service in August of 1945.

Answer - Will be published in next week's column along with the name of the first person to submit the correct answer. Send your answer to cruise2008@travelpage.com

Last Week's Question
We all know that Titanic's sister ship Olympic was broken up in 1937. What is amazing is that part of Olympic survived and still sails the seas today. What part of Olympic survived and where is it today?

Answer - Parts of the RMS Olympic are on display in the Southampton Maritime Museum, the Titanic Museum (Branson, MO) and in the White Swan Hotel in the UK. The wood panels however grace the walls of the Olympic Restaurant on Celebrity's Millennium cruise ship.
courtesy of Florida Rich

Cruise News - June 15, 2009

Celebrity Equinox will sail from Papenburg down the River Ems June 19 or 20, depending on the winds and tides, and following various provisioning activities, sea trials and inspections, will host a series of invitation-only special events for press, travel agents and consumers from Southampton, England, from July 23 until entering service July 31.

Celebrity Equinox will sail on a series of "Ancient Empires" and other European itineraries from Southampton and Rome this summer, followed by 10- and 11-night "Ultimate Caribbean" cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., beginning in November.

Italian icon Sophia Loren welcomes MSC Splendida as the latest addition to the MSC Cruises' fleet amidst lavish festivities. She continues the tradition of serving as the ship's godmother, as she has for MSC Lirica, MSC Opera, MSC Musica, MSC Orchestra, MSC Poesia and MSC Fantasia. Like MSC Splendida, Loren represents the epitome of Italian elegance and style.

Jose Carreras, internationally-known Spanish operatic lyric tenor, lends his memorable voice to the celebration as well. Carreras was one of the "Three Tenors" (along with the Italian singer Luciano Pavarotti and the Spanish singer Placido Domingo); they are credited with helping find a broader audience for opera. The recording of their first performance together, Carreras, Domingo, Pavarotti in Concert, won a Grammy Award in 1991.

Cruising the heart of the Mediterranean and the adjacent European Atlantic seaboard, MSC Splendida is set to embark on a series of inspiring itineraries to many of history's most famous sites. Alexandria, Ashdod, Athens, Barcelona, Casablanca, Crete, Genoa, Madeira, Malta, Malaga, Naples, Olympia, Rhodes, Rome, Taormina, Tenerife, and Tunis are among the destinations.

Designed by De Joro Design Studio, MSC Splendida's interiors will complement these famous sites of history with exuberant modern and classically refined Italian designs featuring many natural and traditional materials.

In addition to the history-based decor, the new ship, currently being outfitted at STX Europe in St Nazaire, will feature two mini-bowling alleys in its Sports Bar, a first for MSC Cruises.

The miniature ten-pin bowling alleys include a traditional-looking bowling surface that is made of a tough phenol compound which allows guests to participate without having to change into special bowling shoes.

The alleys are scaled down to work in a bar environment, to encourage people to mix and mingle, notes the cruise line. The bowling balls are sized slightly smaller than usual making them manageable for young people too.

Above the alleys are two large LCD electronic screens featuring interactive video game animations, with a choice of Ten Pin Tour and Turkey Shoot.

Carnival explained the move by noting that "At the time we suspended fuel supplements for our six North American brands, we reserved the right to reinstate them if the price of light sweet crude oil, according to the NYMEX, should increase above $70 per barrel. While we have now exceeded that threshold, in light of the economic crisis and resulting consumer weakness, we presently have no plans to institute a fuel supplement. We will continue to monitor the situation in the markets and review our position as the situation warrants."

Carnival Inspiration was returning to Tampa, Florida after a four day cruise when Miller went overboard. Authorities were notified and a search of the area was initiated. Around 6:50 am, the crewmembers from a pilot boat spotted Miller clinging to a navigation market about a mile southeast of Mullet Key, near St. Petersberg. He was brought aboard the pilot vessel and transported to Bayfront Medical Center, in St. Petersburg.

The incident is still under investigation.

The Dawn Princess Drydock Journal features regular updates of the work in progress at the Forgacs Cairncross Dockyard in Brisbane, Australia. The journal can be found on the Dawn Princess page in the website's "Ships" section, and it will be regularly updated throughout the ship's two-week drydock which ends June 20. The photos will also be posted to Princess' Twitter feed, Facebook page and Flickr photostream.

"We had such wonderful feedback from web users about our recent drydock journal that we decided to offer ship fans another behind-the-scenes look at all the work that will go into Dawn Princess' refurbishment," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "I think when our passengers see first-hand what's accomplished in a relatively short period of time, they'll be impressed by the planning and teamwork that goes into ensuring that our ships and their amenities deliver the fantastic experience for which Princess is known."

When Dawn Princess emerges from the drydock, the ship will feature the opportunity to get away from it all in the tranquility of The Sanctuary, Princess' signature adults-only retreat featuring plush padded lounge chairs and the services of dedicated Serenity Stewards. Visitors to this exclusive space can enjoy refreshing beverages and light snacks or listen to a relaxing playlist of music.

In addition, Movies Under the Stars will also debut in the poolside area with a state-of-the-art Times Square-style LED screen, offering evening movies and a variety of daytime programming. The 300- square-foot screen offers passengers a movie experience comparable to the best shoreside movie theater. In addition to family cinema and first run hits, Movies Under the Stars also features major sporting events, concerts and a new Leonard Maltin Movie Club.

Other changes viewers will see throughout the drydock include the installation of new carpet and upholstery, plus a rare view of the bottom of the ship's hull as it receives several new coats of silicone paint.

Dawn Princess is home-ported in Sydney for year-round Australia-based cruising and on July 5, the ship departs on a 104-day world cruise, the first circumnavigation and longest-ever roundtrip voyage from Australia.

The inflatable laser tag arena, which operates at various times throughout the day and evening in the ship's main lounge, has been met with outstanding response from guests sailing on the Carnival Valor.

Each session allows four players at time – either individually or in teams of two — to battle it out against each other in a fog-filled dome for an exciting five minute session. The cost is $5 per person.

The attraction is planned for other Carnival ships in the future.

Passengers can choose from among 18 sailings, including a special seven-day cruise to coastal wine regions with themed onboard presentations, four- and five-day samplers of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, plus shorter sailings of one to three nights. Princess' seasonal getaways offer an opportunity to sail on ships that are traveling along the Pacific coast to begin or end a summer of Alaska cruises.

"People need to escape today more than ever and these short sailings are a great way to fit a cruise into the schedule -- and budget," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president.

Princess coastal sailings for 2010-11 include:

Wine Country Coastal -- A seven-day cruise geared towards wine lovers, this special sailing will offer the chance to explore the California wine regions of Santa Barbara and the San Francisco area -- as well as visit the microbreweries of Astoria, Oregon. Themed excursions will be available in many ports to enhance the local wine focus. In addition, onboard presentations from guest experts will showcase the world of food and wine with demonstrations, tastings and special meals. The cruise aboard Sapphire Princess will depart from Los Angeles on May 7, 2011, sailing to Vancouver with calls at Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Astoria, Seattle and Victoria.

California Coastal -- Sailing on a five-day journey down to California from Vancouver, Sapphire Princess will call at Victoria and San Francisco before arriving in "the city of angels," Los Angeles. The sailing will depart on September 20, 2010.

Alaska Sampler -- This quick roundtrip sailing from Vancouver will give travelers a taste of the 49th state, with visits to the Alaskan ports of Juneau and Ketchikan. The five-day cruise on Coral Princess will set sail on May 10, 2010.

Northwest Sampler -- Royal Princess will take visitors on a four-day trip through the scenic Inside Passage with visits to Vancouver and Victoria. Sailing roundtrip from Seattle, the voyage will depart May 20, 2010.

Pacific Coastal: Los Angeles/Vancouver --Passengers can relax with two full days at sea as they cruise up the Pacific coast on these three-day journeys between Los Angeles and Vancouver. Golden Princess will offer two departures on September 26, 2010 and May 11, 2011, and Coral Princess sails on September 18, 2010.

Pacific Coastal: San Francisco/Vancouver --Several cruises travel between San Francisco's legendary Golden Gate and picturesque Vancouver. Coral Princess offers a four-day sailing with calls in Astoria, Oregon and Victoria, BC on May 19, 2011. For a two-day option, Island Princess offers sailings on October 4, 2010 and May 14, 2011, while Star Princess sails on May 11, 2011.

Pacific Coastal: Vancouver/Seattle -- These convenient overnight sailings between Vancouver and Seattle offer the perfect opportunity for a first taste of Princess hospitality. Sapphire Princess will sail May 15, 2010 and September 19, 2010. Golden Princess will offer departures on September 25, 2010 and May 14, 2011. Royal Princess will cruise on September 13, 2010 and May 18, 2011. And Star Princess will depart on May 13, 2011.

Launch Fares for overnight Coastal sailings start at $99 per person, based on double occupancy.

The program highlights her experience with the variety of facilities and features aboard the 110,000-ton "Fun Ship," along with the many sites and attractions of its popular eastern Caribbean itinerary that includes St. Thomas, Antigua, Tortola/Virgin Gorda, Nassau and San Juan.

Brown and her traveling companions relax and re-connect aboard the Carnival Freedom, taking advantage of the 2,974-passenger ship's many on-board amenities, including luxurious spa treatments in the 14,500-square-foot health club and a host of activities, ranging from basketball, mini-golf and ping-pong to a ballroom dancing class and a visit to the casino.

Cameras also follow the group as they explore Carnival Freedom's tropical ports of call. Activities include an exhilarating ATV adventure and zipline tour in Antigua, swimming and relaxing at The Baths in Virgin Gorda, shopping for duty-free bargains in St. Thomas and a scenic carriage ride in Nassau.

Company	Today's Closing Price	Change (since last week)
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL)	23.16	- 7.47%
Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL)	12.64	- 11.17%
Star Cruises (HKSE:0678.HK)	1.13	- 2.59%

Cruise News Trivia Question:
We all know that Titanic's sister ship Olympic was broken up in 1937. What is amazing is that part of Olympic survived and still sails the seas today. What part of Olympic survived and where is it today?

Answer - Will be published in next week's column along with the name of the first person to submit the correct answer. Send your answer to cruise2008@travelpage.com

Last Week's Question
Just before the Imperator entered service in 1913, something was added to her design to ensure that she would be the longest liner in the world. What was added?

Answer - A large bronze eagle was added to make her longer than the Aquitania, the wings were later torn off the eagle during a storm while crossing the Atlantic
courtesy of cant@sympatico.ca

Cruise News - June 9, 2009

The goal of the sea trials is to test those aspects of the ship that cannot be tested while the ship is stationary. Specific tests during the sea trials include tests measuring speed - both forward and reverse, test measuring noise throughout the ship while at varying speeds, tests measuring vibration and tests to measure maneuverability.

This is the first of at least two sets of sea trials that will be conducted over the next several months. The exact number of sea trials could vary depending on the results of the tests taken during each trial. Specific technical requirements are defined in the contract between the cruise line and the shipyard and the sea trials are used to ensure that all of the requirements have been met prior to final handover from the shipyard.

In the photos of the sea trials released by STX, a white blimp with a basket for passengers can be seen tethered to the upper decks of Oasis of the Seas and floating behind the ship at varying distances. These photos have led to speculation that the blimp will be yet another innovation in onboard entertainment but given the technical challenges associated with such an endeavor, especially when the ship is moving at cruising speed, this is unlikely.

Royal Caribbean CEO, Richard Fain took the time to address this issue in his blog where he posted the following: "Secondly, I will comment on one experiment we are performing which has already been the subject of some rumors. This idea is to put an aerostat (blimp) onboard tethered to the ship. The idea is interesting, but it has such a cornucopia of practical issues that I give it less than a 50% chance of being used on Oasis. If we don't use it on the ship, I will consider it just another of the many ideas our people develop that didn't work. On the other hand, if it is successful and we do decide to use it on the ship, I will consider it another of my better ideas. Remember, this is just one of many experiments we undertake and, unless we actually decide to go forward with it, one that you will never hear about again."

Oasis of the Seas is scheduled to enter service in December 2009. She will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons (GRT), carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. She will be the first ship to tout the cruise line's new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which include Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. The ship will sail from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

At this stage, the funnel has not reached its final size as it is not yet equipped with the exhaust pipe system. In order to install the system, a crane will be installed on deck 15 to raise the exhaust pipe system over the blue funnel block, located on deck 17.

The last block on the fore part of the vessel will be lowered at the end of the week. Then, the radar mast will be added which will complete Norwegian Epic's structure before her transfer to the outfitting dock. The ship's float out and transfer to the outfitting dock is currently planned for July 11, 2009.

The 153,000-gross ton, 4,200-passenger ship is scheduled for delivery at the end of May 2010. For more information and renderings, visit epic.ncl.com.

Created as an oceangoing oasis for relaxation, the Carnival Dream's 11,250-square-foot Serenity area will encompass two levels – a first for the line – and accommodate up to 200 guests who can select from seven different styles of seating, from plush chaise lounges and chairs to shaded sun loungers and even hammocks.

Carnival Dream's Serenity area will also feature a full bar on the lower level in a shaded area, while the upper level will offer two whirlpools providing magnificent sea views.

Design-wise, Serenity will offer a decidedly understated theme with decorative latticework, teak-style decking, and other contemporary features, creating an atmosphere of tranquility and comfort. The Serenity experience will be enhanced by a series of custom windscreens specially created for this area.

Spanning the forward section of Sun Deck 14 and Sky Deck 15, Serenity is accessible via a glass elevator within Carnival Dream's expansive 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa, as well as by two staircases.

Carnival Dream is set to debut Sept. 21 with a series of 12-day Mediterranean cruises followed by a trans-Atlantic crossing and two eight-day voyages from New York. Carnival Dream will then reposition to Port Canaveral, Fla., for a special nine-day cruise then launch year-round seven-day Caribbean service Dec. 12.

"The flu outbreak had a short, but highly disruptive impact to our operations," said Richard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive officer. "Fortunately, our vessels are quickly returning to their original itineraries, but the impact from the publicity surrounding the H1N1 virus on our Mexican business is frustrating."

"Veendam looks spectacular," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "The enhancements are going to impress our guests and engage them in exciting, new ways. This continued investment reaffirms our commitment to our fleet of mid-sized ships and our ongoing leadership in the premium category by continually raising the bar in terms of products and services."

Other ships receiving enhancements include ms Rotterdam, ms Maasdam, ms Ryndam and ms Statendam.

Signature of Excellence upgrades begin with new fixtures and soft goods in staterooms and bathrooms. A new category of stateroom, the Lanai stateroom, will be added along with several new staterooms on the aft portion of each ship. Highlights are the resort pool feature called The Retreat, the Showroom at Sea and the new Mix, three specialty lounges midship. Completing projects will be the addition of Canaletto, Holland America Line's popular and complimentary casual Italian restaurant, introduced with ms Eurodam in summer 2008.

The most visible and engaging alteration will be to the aft portion of the ships, allowing for a new resort-style pool area on the Lido deck called The Retreat. With a shallow area where guests may lounge in chairs and dip their fingers and toes in the water, the new resort-style pool invites guests to relax while cruising and enjoy a new pool bar, upscale pizzeria called Slice, and a giant LED screen for evening movies. A new canopy and wind screens will provide additional covered seating for the Lido Restaurant, too. In the Lido restaurant, Canaletto comes to life for dinner when a section is transformed each evening into the specialty restaurant with glass partitions and an Italian ambiance. Dishes range from putanesca to penne alla vodka. Although reservations will be encouraged for this casual, complimentary dining venue, walk-ups will be accepted. Canaletto will be open for dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The latest Signature of Excellence plans involve enhancements to several other public areas. Notably, the Casino and Piano bars will be reconfigured into a multi-themed area called Mix with three separate bars -- Martinis, Champagne and Spirits & Ales, serving their namesakes. Next door, the high-energy casino will be redesigned highlighting the always trendy table and slot games. The main show lounge will be transformed into the Showroom at Sea with the ambiance of a glamorous nightclub and a new slate of shows. The ever-popular Ocean Bar will be refurbished and carpets will be replaced in most public areas. A Merabella luxury jewelry shop will be added midship.

To complement the new entertainment venues, entertainment and enrichment programming embraces a new, contemporary look across the fleet. A new Explorations Team employs cruise staff, each specializing in a particular area, to educate and entertain guests with an expanded menu of activities including flower arranging, hands-on cooking, dancing, and working with digital photos, blogs and movies. Each team consists of a party planner, a travel guide, dance directors and a "techspert." On longer cruises, a book club leader joins the team to lead lively group discussions.

All staterooms will receive new decor, carpeting and soft goods and bathrooms will see an "extreme" makeover with new vanities and cabinetry. Plans are for each ship to have an additional 44 to 46 staterooms, 32 with verandahs and the remaining will be inside staterooms.

On Statendam-class ships, twelve staterooms near the spa (on Deck 9) also will have verandahs added, and along with three inside staterooms, become 'spa staterooms' featuring a variety of enhanced spa amenities. On the Rotterdam, 23 staterooms on Verandah deck will become spa staterooms. New lanai staterooms will be created by replacing existing stateroom windows (on Lower Promenade Deck 6) with lanai doors that open directly onto the walk-around promenade, and adding a few additional staterooms. There will be 38 lanai staterooms on Veendam and 39 on Rotterdam. Ryndam, Maasdam and Statendam will receive 38 lanai staterooms during their second phase of drydocks.

Except for Veendam, completed at end of April 2009, and Rotterdam, to be completed in December 2009, enhancements will be completed in two phases. First, in a series of drydocks in 2010 and 2011, Maasdam, Statendam and Ryndam will receive stateroom upgrades, the addition of Mix, Showroom at Sea, Canaletto and other public area enhancements. The second series of drydocks in 2012 and 2013 will add The Retreat and new staterooms on the aft portion of the ships, as well as forward verandah and spa staterooms.

"A focus of this latest Signature of Excellence series of enhancements is our entertainment venues, where we've created the ultimate place to both socialize and be entertained," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "Our guests are looking for an upscale, trendy spot where they can gather together and be part of this exciting new ambiance."

An exciting new entertainment space called Mix is set to become the destination lounge where guests can meet and mingle throughout the day and night. Mix is an open and inviting space anchored by a pianist providing entertainment for three distinctly themed areas.

The bubbly will flow at Champagne, which offers a variety of 20 different champagnes and sparkling wines from around the world. The centerpiece of this bar is a cool, ice-filled counter top chilling champagne bottles that invites guests to indulge by the glass or by the bottle served in traditional silver buckets. This venue will offer events such as late champagne breakfast, pre-lunch Mimosa and Bellini hour, champagne tea time and pre-dinner champagne hour with caviar canapés. Champagne will be the ship's premier celebration venue.

Martinis serves up 19 Grey Goose martinis elegantly offered in individual shakers as well as a full range of cocktails. Guests can also enjoy a martini flight made up of several mini martini concoctions. The martini flight includes Holland America Line's signature martini, the Yellow Tulip, a mixture of Grey Goose vodka, lychee juice, pineapple juice, guava juice, coconut cream and fresh lime juice. Other martinis included in the flight are the Peartini, Cosmopolitan, Sunshine Martini, Rum Sundae and High Tide Martini. A house specialty will be a signature Martini for Two with aged Cognac served with a dish of caviar and traditional garnishes.

Spirits & Ales will feature an international selection of beers and premium whiskeys and brandies sure to entice even the most selective connoisseur. Here guests can drop by to enjoy a wide selection of beers on tap while watching sporting events or relax after some shopping in the nearby boutiques.

The Ocean Bar will be enhanced to refresh its look. Guests wanting to learn new moves or brush up on their ballroom dancing skills can sign up for lessons given by the Line's experienced staff. Providing tunes from the Great American Songbook, The Neptunes - Holland America Line's resident three-piece music combo - will keep things lively as guests dance the night away and enjoy a cocktail in the luxuriously appointed lounge.

From today through August 31, 2009, families, singles, seniors, first-time cruisers, honeymooners and groups of all descriptions will discover the important therapeutic benefits of vacationing as they take advantage of unprecedented cruise values, the latest savings and special cruise incentives. 23 CLIA member cruise lines and thousands of CLIA-member travel agents are participating to tell consumers across the country that it is okay to travel - that the travel industry is vital to the economy, and they deserve to put daily worries on hold and take a break.

Globally, travel and tourism contributes $5.47 trillion to national economies and employs over 220 million people, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The United States ranks number one in total size of its travel industry, contributing $1.37 trillion, approximately one quarter of the world total, and employing 13.8 million, WTTC says. And the North American cruise industry, according to independent studies done for CLIA, alone contributes over $40 billion to the U.S. and Canadian economies in total economic impact, creating jobs for over 380,000 North Americans. Clearly, the positive economic impact of people traveling for pleasure or business is significant. At the same time, research, surveys of consumer attitudes and trends, and health professionals increasingly point to the beneficial effects of vacationing. Combined, these realities provide good cause to encourage consumers to take the break they deserve.

"Now more than ever, a vacation is what people really need -- a break from everyday stresses to get in touch with themselves, their families and what's important, to reflect on the next steps which could be life-changing, and to renew physically and emotionally," said Terry Dale, CLIA's president and CEO. "We are living in challenging times; we deserve the opportunity to reward ourselves while at the same time making a small contribution to the country's well-being as well. And, with the incredible, never-seen-before, and likely never to be seen again, values offered by CLIA member lines today, what better time could there be to get some 'cruise therapy?'"

Dr. David Hubschmitt, a New Jersey-based psychologist specializing in depression, agrees that vacationing during stressful times can be a good remedy. "A well-timed vacation may offer significant benefits for mental health. The relaxation provides a much-needed change of gears in a time-starved society, and may be an ideal time to reconnect with loved ones traveling with you. For those traveling alone, vacations may lead to a higher level of self discovery."

A well-chosen vacation, according to experts, offers significant benefits and opportunities, including:

• Relaxation, shifting gears and change of scenery are good for one's health -- physical, mental and spiritual

• There is no better time or setting for reconnecting with family and friends and renewing relationships

• A vacation is an opportunity to discover or rediscover oneself

• There's no better time to recharge and re-energize and to look forward with confidence and enthusiasm

What makes a cruise the perfect vacation therapy? Exceptional ease of planning and the convenience of having a "home away from home" for the length of the trip, for starters, plus inclusive pricing that means excellent value for money spent. The diversity of cruise experiences available means that there is a vacation for every taste, interest and budget. With more than 30 domestic ports of embarkation, millions of Americans are also within driving distance of a cruise. And, most important, CLIA member lines are doing everything they can to create irresistible incentives to cruise.

Company	Today's Closing Price	Change (since last week)
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL)	25.03	+ 6.18%
Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL)	14.23	- 10.62%
Star Cruises (HKSE:0678.HK)	1.16	+ 7.41%

Cruise News Trivia Question:
Just before the Imperator entered service in 1913, something was added to her design to ensure that she would be the longest liner in the world. What was added?

Answer - Will be published in next week's column along with the name of the first person to submit the correct answer. Send your answer to cruise2008@travelpage.com

Last Week's Question
What was the first new North Atlantic liner built after World War II?

Answer - The first new North Atlantic liner built after World War II was the Stockholm.
courtesy of Timothy Edgecombe - Vancouver

Cruise News - June 1, 2009

After arriving in New York, Dean's mother decided to abandon her plans to settle in America and returned to England with her children on board the White Star liner Adriatic. Dean spent most of her life living quietly near the port of Southampton, where she had boarded Titanic for the fateful voyage.

When the wreck of Titanic was discovered by Dr. Robert Ballard in 1985 it sparked a worldwide renewal of interest in the ship and its tragic maiden voyage. Even though Dean was too young to remember the sinking and her rescue by Cunard's Carpathia, she became a celebrity amongst Titanic enthusiasts as one of the few living survivors of the disaster. Her celebrity status only increased following the release of the blockbuster film "Titanic" in 1997 and the stars of the film, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, recently pledged to support a fund that had been established to help Dean pay her bills.

The ship was carrying more than 1,700 passengers who enjoyed the island's legendary beaches, myriad shopping, dining and watersports opportunities, and interesting sites and attractions.

The Holiday is one of 16 Carnival ships that will resume their normal itineraries featuring port calls to Mexico later this month. The next Carnival ships to call in Mexico will be the Carnival Ecstasy and Carnival Fantasy on their June 13 departures from Galveston and New Orleans, respectively.

Carnival Corporation suspended all port calls to Mexico in April following the "swine flu" (H1N1 flu strain) outbreak which was believed to have begun in Mexico. Three of the company's brands modified itineraries for 27 cruise ships - 16 for Carnival Cruise Lines, six for Princess Cruises and five for Holland America Line -- to avoid previously scheduled calls in Mexico. In many instances the modifications involved simply substituting another port while others required the development of entirely new itineraries. Princess' and Holland America's Mexico calls are seasonal and conclude this month while Carnival's are year-round.

In total, the two ships will offer 15 departures on three different itineraries. For a convenient roundtrip cruise, Caribbean Princess will sail on seven-day voyages from New York. For those who want to explore this historic region further, Crown Princess departs on the classic 10-day itinerary between New York City and charming Québec City. And for a tour of the entire coastline, Crown Princess will also sail on an extended 13-day Canada & Colonial America journey along the full length of the Atlantic coast. The Canada & New England season will run from August 7 through October 17, 2010.

"There are few itineraries where passengers can visit some of North America's greatest cities and enjoy such unspoiled beauty all in one vacation," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "These Canada and New England sailings offer such an attractive travel option that we've deployed two of our largest, most amenity-filled vessels on the route."

Princess' 2010 Canada & New England season includes:

Roundtrip Seven-Day Canada & New England from New York - Caribbean Princess will sail on convenient seven-day roundtrip itineraries from New York with port calls in Newport, Boston, Bar Harbor (for Acadia national Park), Saint John (for the Bay of Fundy) and Halifax. The ship will depart on 11 sailings from August 7 to October 16.

Classic 10-Day Canada & New England - Crown Princess will offer Princess' classic 10-day route between New York and Québec City. Passengers will enjoy visits to Newport, Boston, Bar Harbor (for Acadia national Park), Saint John (for the Bay of Fundy), Halifax, Sydney (Nova Scotia) and Ville Saguenay (Québec), plus an overnight stay in charming Québec City. The ship sails on three cruises on this route between September 17 and October 7.

Canada & Colonial America - Crown Princess will also feature one departure on an extended 13-day Canada & Colonial America itinerary from Québec City to Ft. Lauderdale. The October 17 sailing includes an overnight in Québec City and visits Ville Saguenay, Halifax, Bar Harbor (for Acadia National Park), Boston, Newport, New York (Brooklyn), Norfolk (for Williamsburg and Jamestown), and Charleston.

Thus far, Filomena, is more than half way to his goal, sailing on 14 different vessels since his quest began in fall 2008.

The Washington state resident has been on 29 Carnival cruises in total since June 2008, his first being a seven-day Carnival Spirit voyage to Alaska, which remains his favorite destination.

Filomena, who will sail on the trans-Atlantic voyage of the new 130,000-ton Carnival Dream later this year, expects to reach his goal when he embarks on an eight-day Carnival Miracle cruise in December.

Filomena (second from left) is pictured here during his most recent cruise on the Carnival Legend with the ship's Captain Vincenzo Alcaras and Hotel Director Guna Chellam (far left and far right, respectively) and Carnival President and CEO Gerry Cahill, who was on board for a meeting of the line's Quality Assurance Committee.

"The health and safety of all cruise passengers is of utmost importance to all Cruise Lines International Association member lines," said Terry Dale, CLIA president and CEO. "The cruise industry is taking these proactive steps out of an abundance of caution to identify, isolate and treat any suspect Influenza A (H1N1) cases as appropriate. We will continue to review these protocols and the need for any further actions as necessary."

All passengers scheduled to board CLIA member line cruise ships will be required to complete the new public health questionnaire prior to boarding at any port. Under the enhanced screening protocols, CLIA member lines will perform a secondary screening if a passenger reports on the questionnaire flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, runny nose or sore throat, or contact with a confirmed Influenza A (H1N1) case. Medical personnel at each cruise line will make case by case decisions regarding the boarding of these passengers. Passengers will not be permitted to travel if they exhibit influenza-like-illness or meet the suspect case conditions for Influenza A (H1N1) as defined by CDC (http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/casedef_swineflu.htm). All other passengers will be permitted to travel. The industry instituted similar global screening protocols in the past during the outbreak of SARS in Asia.

Dale noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) has said that Influenza A (H1N1) is already widespread and that the public health priority today is to mitigate the further spread of the virus. He said that the enhanced health screening protocols announced today were designed to do just that while protecting passengers, crew and ports of call.

Further, medical staff will isolate and treat passengers and crew with flu symptoms, if such a situation arises while the cruise ship is under way. CLIA member lines that operate internationally will maintain appropriate medical support equipment and medications, including anti-viral medications that are effective in treating flu, including Influenza A (H1N1).

The new screening protocols augment comprehensive vessel sanitation and public health surveillance procedures already employed by the industry, and subject to inspection by CDC in the U.S., that reduce the potential for transmission of contagious diseases including Influenza A (H1N1). These practices include the use of recommended disinfectants, surveillance and treatment of illnesses like influenza, isolation of sick passengers, food safety sanitation protocols, and consultation with public health authorities.

Company	Today's Closing Price	Change (since last week)
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE:CCL)	26.68	+ 2.97%
Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL)	15.92	+ 1.34%
Star Cruises (HKSE:0678.HK)	1.08	- 1.82%

Cruise News Trivia Question:
What was the first new North Atlantic liner built after World War II?

Answer - Will be published in next week's column along with the name of the first person to submit the correct answer. Send your answer to cruise2008@travelpage.com

Last Week's Question
What is the largest twin-screw ocean liner ever built?

Answer - The largest twin-screw ocean liner ever built was Cunard's QE2.
courtesy of Robert in Newport News, Virginia